Why did Europeans look for sea routes to Asia in the fifteenth century? Choose all answers that are correct. The Ottoman Turks controlled the Silk Road, which was the main land route from Europe through the Middle East to Asia. Explorers were looking for a way to sail around Asia to get to the Americas. Traveling overland from Europe to Asia was extremely difficult and hazardous. Demand in Europe for Asian spices, silk, and other goods had grown considerably.